Stretches

[emsy31]

Are stretches after a run essential or are people just using the brisk walk warm down?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Stretches really help... they become even more useful with age too. The warm down is all about getting blood flowing normally again as there’s a small chance of feinting if you just stop... a brisk walking cooldown keeps the muscles warm enough to then do the stretches.

[emsy31 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Excellent thank you 😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Generally I don’t stretch around runs, except calf stretches if they’re acting up, but I’m aiming to jog, not to get to prizewinning standard, and if I start to ache while running I slow down. Several people on here were recommending the NHS Strength and Flex podcasts: I do those on rest days and they really help. Different methods work for different people, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Happy running 😀

[Whatnog]

Hi emsy31, they are really useful, make a lot of difference in the way you feel. The few times for some reason I stretched less than usual I felt my legs stiffer and more sore!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Post run stretching really can pull tensions out of muscles and reduce tension in tendons, which reduces the likelihood of imbalances developing which can cause injury. It will help ease aches.

I still stretch after every run, five years after C25K.

[mazza36]

My chiropractor recommended I do 10 mins of stretching after every run. Wish I'd known that before I injured myself!

[DeeTray Graduate]

Ditto to mazza, thoroughly recommend doing them.

[Pianism Graduate]

I've not been stretching and I'm starting to as I can feel my muscles are tight in the mornings and walking is uncomfortable until I get warmed up. I'm hoping a post-exercise stretch will relieve this a little.

[Tonkabella]

I always stretch after any exercise and if I've had a particularly strenuous session and I find my muscles starting to ache I stretch on and off thru the day to ease them. Works for me 😊

[ArtJones]

Well i am making sure I do the walk at the end. That's it for me. Not sure I can stretch anything after running and not sure what the benefit is for myself as a novice. WK 8 run 3 next for me.